Pain is a common human experience. In 2023, about 1 in 4 adults had chronic pain, which is pain that lasts for three months or more. For approximately 8% of these adults, this pain can significantly limit their daily life and work. This is called high-impact chronic pain.
Pain isn’t all the same, though. It can be:
- Acute pain — This is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong right now. It usually starts suddenly and doesn’t last too long.
- Chronic pain — This type of pain sticks around longer, usually for more than three months, even after an initial injury has healed. It can be there all the time or come and go. It can be really challenging to live with and affect your mood, sleep, and ability to do things you enjoy. Chronic pain can be caused by issues such as:
- Arthritis
- Back problems
- Nerve damage
- Nociceptive pain — This pain is caused by damage to body tissue, such as a cut, bruise, or broken bone. Special nerve cells called nociceptors send signals to your brain that you interpret as pain. It can feel sharp, achy, or throbbing.
- Neuropathic pain — This pain happens when there’s damage to the nerves. People often describe this pain as a burning, shooting, stabbing, or tingling feeling, or like pins and needles. Neuropathic pain can be caused by conditions such as:
- Diabetes
- Shingles
Understanding the type of pain you have is a key step in finding the best way to manage it. When you’re also navigating recovery from opioid use disorder (OUD), finding safe and effective ways to manage pain is even more important. The good news is, you’re not alone, and there are many helpful paths to feeling better without relying on opioids, though that may be the best option for some people.
The opioid overdose crisis: Why safe pain management matters more than ever
For many years, opioids were commonly prescribed to treat pain. While they can be effective for certain types of short-term, severe pain, they also come with serious risks, including the risk of developing OUD. This has led to the United States declaring the opioid overdose crisis a major public health challenge in 2017. This declaration was made because:
- Millions are affected by OUD — In 2023, an estimated 5.7 million Americans aged 12 or older had OUD.
- Opioid prescriptions can lead to OUD — Studies have shown that anywhere from 3% to 19% of people who take prescription opioid medications will develop OUD.
- OUD has led to a tragic loss of life — Tragically, in 2022, nearly 108,000 people died from drug overdoses, and about 76% of those deaths involved opioids. This number is a painful reminder of how important safer options are. .
These statistics highlight why finding alternative, safer ways to manage pain is so incredibly important, especially for people who have experienced OUD or are in recovery. Relying on opioids for pain can potentially lead to a recurrence of use or make recovery much harder. That’s why having other options really matters.
The power of alternative pain management
For people in recovery, managing pain in a way that keeps recovery on track is key. This is where alternative pain management techniques shine. These are methods that don’t involve opioid medications and focus on treating pain in different ways, often by addressing the root cause of the pain and empowering you with tools to manage it.
Alternative pain management helps you:
- Stay focused on your recovery goals
- Reduce the risk of returning to opioid use
- Take charge of your health in a safe, lasting way
It’s all about finding what works for you, and thankfully, there’s a wide range of options to explore.
Alternative pain management techniques
There’s no single right answer. What works for one person may not work for another. But with guidance, support, and time, you can find what helps you feel better and stay on track. Remember, it’s always best to discuss these options with your primary care provider or a pain specialist to create a pain management plan tailored to your specific needs and health conditions.
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Physical techniques
- Physical therapy — Physical therapy can be the cornerstone of pain management for many conditions. A physical therapist is a movement expert who can help you improve your strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
- Cold therapy — Applying cold packs, ice or even taking a cool bath can help reduce inflammation, swelling and numb acute pain.
- Heat therapy — Using a heating pad, warm compress or taking a warm bath or shower can help increase blood flow to an area. This can help relax tight muscles, soothe chronic aches and ease stiffness. Heat therapy is often beneficial for muscle soreness or arthritis.
- Exercise — It may seem counterintuitive to exercise when you’re in pain, but the right kind of movement can be incredibly helpful, especially for chronic pain. Exercise releases endorphins, which are the body’s natural mood boosters and pain relievers. Aerobic, aquatic, and resistance exercises are good places to get started.
- Acupuncture — Acupuncture offers a non-opioid approach to pain relief. A certified practitioner inserts thin needles into specific points on the body, which is thought to stimulate the central nervous system. This can help release the body’s natural pain-relieving chemicals like endorphins, and help reduce inflammation. It can be effective for chronic conditions like:
- Back pain
- Migraines
- Arthritis
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Rest
When you’re in pain, sometimes your body just needs a break. Resting the affected area of an acute injury can prevent further damage and allow healing to start. However, too much rest can sometimes lead to stiffness and weakness, making pain worse in the long run. In this case, avoid activities that aggravate your pain while staying active in other ways.
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Medications and medical options
- Non-opioid over-the-counter pain relievers — Several non-opioid pain relievers are available without a prescription and can be helpful for mild to moderate pain. It’s essential to use these medications as directed and to be aware of potential side effects, especially with long-term use or if you have other health conditions.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) — These include ibuprofen and naproxen sodium. They work by reducing inflammation.
- Acetaminophen — This helps to reduce pain and fever, but doesn’t have the same anti-inflammatory effects as NSAIDs.
- Chiropractic adjustments — Chiropractors focus on the diagnosis and treatment of neuromuscular disorders, with an emphasis on treatment through manual adjustment and/or manipulation of the spine. Research suggests chiropractic care may reduce the likelihood of people needing or using opioid prescriptions. Some people find chiropractic care helpful for:
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Headaches
- Cannabinoids — Cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are compounds found in the cannabis plant. The legal status and regulation of CBD and THC vary by state. It’s essential to research the laws in your area and discuss the use of these products with your doctor, especially if you are in recovery, as THC can be mood-altering and may pose risks for some.
- CBD — CBD doesn’t produce the high associated with THC. Some research suggests CBD may have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. It’s available in various forms like oils, creams, and edibles.
- THC — This is the psychoactive compound in cannabis. It also has pain-relieving properties. In some studies, THC has been shown to be effective in helping ease chronic neuropathic and fibromyalgia pain.
- Injections — For certain types of pain, injections can deliver medication directly to the source of the problem and offer people relief from severe or localized pain. A specialist performs these injections and can carry some risks, so a thorough discussion with your doctor is important.
- Corticosteroid injections — Help reduce inflammation in joints or muscles
- Nerve blocks — Can stop pain signals from reaching the brain
- Surgery — In some cases, when pain is severe, debilitating, and hasn’t responded to other treatments, surgery may be considered to correct an underlying problem. Surgery is usually a last resort due to the risks involved and the recovery time needed. For individuals with OUD, careful planning for postsurgical pain management that avoids or minimizes opioid use is crucial. This is where a multidisciplinary team, including your surgeon, pain specialist, and addiction specialist, becomes invaluable.
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Mind-body techniques
Our minds and bodies are deeply connected. Mind-body techniques can help influence your physical sensations, including pain. Mind-body techniques can include:
- Yoga
- Tai Chi
- Mindfulness and meditation
- Therapy
Pain is personal, and so is your path to relief. The best pain management plans often combine several approaches. Managing pain without opioids is possible, and you deserve relief that protects your health, respects your progress, and helps you live the life you want.
Finding your way to wellness: Pain management alternatives and support from Groups
Opioids aren’t the only option for addressing your pain. Today, we have better knowledge, more tools, and greater compassion for people who are healing. Whether you’re recovering from OUD or supporting someone who is, alternative pain management offers hope and real help.
Pain may be part of your story, but it doesn’t have to control it. Recovery means you get to make new choices. Groups is here to help you find the pain relief that supports your health, your goals, and your future.
Give our Recovery Support Specialists a call today for more information or to begin your recovery. We provide treatment across the country — and we’re always expanding. See if we offer care in your state, either online or at one of our 130+ local offices. If Groups doesn’t offer treatment in your area, you can locate other treatment options here.
